Tricks of the Trade—Affordable Fruits in the Winter

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During these cold winter months, it isn’t uncommon to find
that the price of strawberries or blueberries in the store may seem a little
higher, or not quite affordable with your dwindling college budget. Yet, those
fruits are still important for antioxidants, getting your vitamins, and keeping
your body healthy. There are several options that might work for you to avoid
choosing those less nutritious foods just because they fit into the budget.

If you can afford to buy fresh, set a grocery
list. Limit yourself to one or two types of fruit for the week. You can choose
different options each week to maintain variety.

Pick fruits that you know will last. For
example, a cantaloupe or melon can be cut up and stored in the refrigerator to
last the whole week. Or, try a
grapefruit. Eat one half for breakfast and save the other half for a day or
even two days later.

Try frozen, dried, or canned fruit. Although it
may not seem as appealing as fresh fruit these options still have most of the
nutrients you need and a more affordable cost. Frozen fruits can be much more
affordable as well as last much longer. Recently, during a grocery store visit,
strawberries were spotted between $3.99 and $4.99; a frozen bag of berries on
the other hand ranges from $2.99 to $4.99 and will last in the freezer for a
longer period of time. Try using frozen fruits in yogurt, cereal, or even on waffles.

As any savvy shopper knows…look for the sales.
Most produce items that are out of season will not be on sale…so try to go
seasonal to keep within your budget. This website all
about fruits and veggies gives a great list about which foods are in-season.

In order to stay healthy and
obtain between 2-4 servings of fruit per day, keep these budget-conscious tips
in mind the next time you head to the grocery store.